Hundreds of demonstrators crowded Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Thursday to mark the first birthday of Kfir Bibas — desperately clinging to hope that the youngest hostage taken by Hamas might still be alive.
Members of Kfir’s family were joined by friends and supporters holding orange balloons — printed with the words, “The saddest birthday in the world” — for the ginger-haired infant.
Hamas previously claimed that the helpless baby was killed alongside his 4-year-old brother, Ariel, and mother, Shiri, without ever offering proof. The family patriarch, Yarden, was also taken hostage but was separated from his spouse and children.
The rest of the family believes all three are still alive — which, if so, would mean that baby Kfir has spent about a quarter of his life in captivity.
During the birthday party, Shiri’s family read a letter from Ofri Bibas, Yarden’s sister, calling on Israel to help bring Kfir home and wondering how the infant is developing while in captivity, the Times of Israel reports.
“There’s so much we haven’t been able to do with you,” Ofri writes of her nephew. “Are you speaking any words? Are you walking? The biggest gift we could give you would be to bring you home.”
The infant is the youngest person kidnapped by Hamas and became a symbol of the cruelty of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Family handout
Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv for a somber demonstration marking Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas’ first birthday. AFP via Getty Images
The Bibas family made a cake for the infant, who they believe is still alive. REUTERSShiri’s cousin, Yosi Shnaider, told the crowd in Tel Aviv that the 1-year-old should be with his family and not in a dark tunnel in Gaza.
“They need to be released today, and we can’t forget them for one moment,” Shnaider said. “Enough with the sad faces! We need to scream to the skies that it’s our children and siblings and parents and grandparents there.”
The sorrowful demonstration in Tel Aviv comes a day after US House lawmakers held their own solemn candlelight vigil at the Capitol for Kfir and the rest of the hostages.
Kfir was the youngest of the 253 hostages taken by Hamas in the monstrous attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7.
The Bibas family was filmed being taken from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Kfir and brother Ariel became known as “The Reds” and served as a symbol of the evil of that day.
Hamas later put out a cruel propaganda video featuring their dad, Yarden Bibas, sobbing as he claimed his wife, Shiri, 32, and their young kids were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Hamas never offered any proof of the family’s fate, and the assertions were never verified by officials.
Demonstrators put together gifts for the missing 1-year-old. AFP via Getty Images
The Bibas family was kidnapped on Oct. 7, with father Yarden Bibas used in a Hamas video to blame Israel for the alleged deaths of his wife and kids. Yifat Zailer / Facebook
The demonstration in Tel Aviv included calls for Israel to do whatever it can to bring the remaining hostages home. AFP via Getty ImagesThe IDF has declined to comment on a probe into Hamas’ claim.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office estimates that around 132 hostages remain in Gaza, 27 of whom are believed to be dead.
Despite ongoing discussions with Qatari negotiators, there is still no sign that a new hostage exchange deal will be ready anytime soon.
